Osimhen Marks Injury Return in Galatasaray Victory Over Alanyaspor

Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen returned to action on Friday night as Galatasaray edged Alanyaspor 1-0 in the Turkish Super Lig, Sport360NG reports.

The Super Eagles striker, who had been out since early September with an ankle injury, was introduced in the 85th minute as head coach Okan Buruk eased him back into competitive action. His appearance comes just days before Galatasaray’s Champions League showdown with Liverpool at Anfield.

Mauro Icardi settled the contest with a 23rd-minute strike at the GAİN Park Stadyumu, a goal that preserved the Istanbul club’s flawless start to the domestic campaign. Galatasaray sit top of the standings with 19 points from seven matches, unbeaten and already creating distance from their nearest challengers.

Osimhen’s injury, sustained during Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying win over Rwanda on 6 September in Uyo, forced him to miss three matches for the Turkish champions as well as the Super Eagles’ 1-1 draw against South Africa in Johannesburg. He also sat out European fixtures against Eintracht Frankfurt and league games versus Konyaspor and Eyüpspor.

Buruk had hinted earlier in the week that the striker was still managing some discomfort, but training sessions under the supervision of the club’s medical team cleared the way for his return.

Signed permanently from Napoli in the summer after a successful loan, the 26-year-old had scored twice in three league appearances before the setback. His speed, strength and eye for goal have already strengthened Galatasaray’s frontline alongside Icardi and Leroy Sané, with his budding partnership with the Argentine showing particular promise.

While the Yellow and Reds managed to keep winning without him, Osimhen’s comeback offers a timely boost as the club now turns its attention to a high-stakes European night at Anfield.